High Court issues arrest warrant for “disobedient” NPP’s Ernest Kumi

The member of parliament for Akwatia in the Eastern Region, Ernest Yaw Kumi, has been found guilty of contempt by the Koforidua High Court. The court, presided over by Justice Senyo Amedahe, issued a bench warrant for Kumi’s arrest following his absence in court and subsequent sentencing. This development comes after Kumi allegedly disobeyed an interim injunction that barred him from being sworn in as a member of parliament.

According to reports, the interim injunction was issued by the Koforidua High Court after the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate, Henry Yiadom Boakye, challenged the results of the 2024 parliamentary elections in the Akwatia constituency. The court’s decision to issue a bench warrant for Kumi’s arrest has significant implications for his status as a member of parliament. Counsel for the NDC parliamentary candidate, Bernard Bediako, stated that Kumi cannot continue to hold himself as a member of parliament.

The Akwatia constituency has been a contentious area, with disputes and allegations of irregularities surrounding the 2024 parliamentary elections. The Electoral Commission (EC) initially declared Kumi the winner of the election, but the NDC has refused to accept the results, leading to the court challenge.

Kumi’s actions were deemed a willful disobedience of the court’s orders, prompting the judge to issue the bench warrant. The court’s decision highlights the importance of upholding the rule of law and respecting the authority of the judiciary.

Ernest Kumi was declared the winner of the Akwatia parliamentary seat by the Electoral Commission (EC) in the 2024 parliamentary elections. He secured 19,269 votes, defeating the NDC candidate, Henry Yiadom Boakye, who garnered 17,206 votes.